US – Monday, February 8
Best friends and aural illusionists
Phantogram is a rural band that makes urban beats and mocks each other for wearing ugly braces
Despite their edgy rhythms and the shoe-gazey overtones, this is no urban outfit. The pair hails from Saratoga Springs in upstate New York where they first met in junior high. Such familiarity makes touring together easier, given such a long history.
 
My Entertainment
Under the covers with novelist Nicholas Sparks
With 15 best-selling novels and six film adaptations under his belt, Nicholas Sparks is one of the most successful writers working today — and he does sit down to work every day. The man behind “Dear John,” which beat “Avatar” for the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office, talks about making movies and making people cry.
Music
Now that’s the Spirit
At its core, Delta Spirit’s music conveys an underlying theme of humanity and social consciousness. And after meeting lead singer Matt Vasquez outside of Boston’s the Middle East last week, it’s apparent that he lives with the same compassion he sings about in his songs. While smoking outside the club, a familiar Central Square homeless woman approaches him to ask for change. He gives her a huge hug. “It can be hard out there,” he says. “I’ve been living in a car for three years now.”
 
Philly Music
Fixing a broken record
Over the last decade, Philadelphia has seen the emergence of small nonprofits — think Ars Nova Workshop and Bowerbird — that continue to develop emerging classical, experimental and jazz musicians. But until now, artists working in popular mediums had one, maybe two options: Do it yourself or … be Dr. Dog? That’s just one of the reasons Brian McTear launched Weathervane Music, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the careers of independent popular musicians.
Movies
Channing Tatum on love and war
Channing Tatum has worked in his fair share of genres, from indie films (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) to dance flicks (“Step Up”) to blockbusters (“G.I. Joe”). In his latest, “Dear John,” the Alabama native takes on a heavy Nicholas Sparks love story about a soldier in love while at war. He talks with us about true love and blowing stuff up.
 

Photo: RICO TORRESJohn Travolta ruins a lovely trip to ‘Paris’
REVIEW. John Travolta is to “From Paris with Love” what Jar Jar Binks is to the “Star Wars” prequels: If only that one annoying character would get shot or vaporized, perhaps the marginally enjoyable flick would be saved. Too bad that in the case of “Paris,” Travolta is more than a lame CGI effect.
 
Music
Carving out a Soft spot in your heart
In the geographical space between the Arctic Monkeys and the Monkees is where you might find the Soft Pack. Singer Matt Lamkin sounds like Ray Davies of the Kinks at times, and the band behind him plays classic short-haired rock ’n’ roll, resulting in songs that you might think you first heard on a “Nuggets” box set if you didn’t know they were brand new.
Philly Arts
A split screen at Israeli film fest
A tense conflict recurs throughout many of the seven films that comprise this year’s Israeli Film Festival of Greater Philadelphia. But unlike the Israeli-Palestinian standoff that dominates headlines, the struggle in these films takes place over borders more philosophical than physical, a battle between orthodoxy and secularism.
 
 
 
The Word
Barbie’s big career change
Everyone’s favorite curvy piece of plastic (and no, we’re not talking about you, Heidi Montag) is going to announce her 125th career at the New York Toy Fair on Feb. 12. For the first time ever, people can vote on the next job Barbie will tackle on her tiptoes at www.barbie.com.
New York Going Out
Top 5 romantic places to propose
You know she’s the only one you want to wake up next to every morning, or that he’s the one you want to spend ever after with. So you’ve bought the ring and prepared your speech, but where do you pop the question? These five amazing New York City spots will help set the mood for your perfect proposal.
 

Photo: ADAM WALLACAVAGE FOR THE MURAL ARTS PROGRAMCan you keep up, Cupids?
Look, honey — it is up to you to reserve a nice table, bring flowers, and follow through on some proper chocolates. But when it comes to interesting Valentine’s entertainment, we admit it can be tricky. So we dug around and found some unusual dates — because really, taking her to see “Valentine’s Day” is as good as giving up.
 
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Music
MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

 
 
 
Metro Life Panel
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